By Jennifer Alexander Ruple As crisp autumn breezes sweep across southeast Michigan and the landscape glows with brilliant shades of gold, amber, and crimson, the Gust family welcomes visitors to Gust Brothers Pumpkin Farm, 13639 Mulberry Rd. in Ottawa Lake, Mich. Established in 1989 on a century-old family farm, the destination captures the warmth and charm of the harvest season with pumpkins and gourds, colorful … Continue reading A Taste of Fall from Gust Brothers Pumpkin Farm

BY JENNIFER ALEXANDER RUPLE When crisp leaves begin to dance and porch lights glow against early dusk, dessert should feel every bit as magical as the season. Spooktacular Pumpkin Cheesecake Delight layers buttery graham cracker crumbs, silky no-bake cheesecake, spiced pumpkin pudding, and a cloud of whipped topping into one irresistible autumn dish. This creamy dessert is easy enough for a weeknight treat yet festive … Continue reading No Tricks, Just Treats: Meet Spooktacular Pumpkin Cheesecake Delight

By Jennifer Alexander Ruple As September settles in with warm afternoons and cooler evenings, the kitchen begins to crave the savory comfort of roasted vegetables. Cabbage wedges turn tender and caramelized under a glossy herb-balsamic glaze, carrots roast to honeyed sweetness with rosemary and thyme, and peppery radishes mellow into buttery, golden bites finished with parsley and sea salt. Each recipe is simpleenough for a … Continue reading Late-Summer Vegetables, Roasted to Perfection

By Jennifer Alexander Ruple School may be back in session, but don’t roll up the grill just yet – summer still has plenty of sizzle left. Grilled flatbread pizzas bring big flavor to busy weeknight meals or laid-back weekend dinners with crisp, smoky crusts, garden-fresh toppings and barely any cleanup. They are completely customizable – everyone can pitch in and build their own masterpiece with … Continue reading Back-to-School Nights, Backyard Pizza Style

By Jennifer Alexander Ruple As summer reaches its golden stretch and sweet corn hits peak season, farmers markets and farm stands across northwest Ohio are brimming with everyone’s favorite ears from yellow and white to bi-color varieties. That makes now the perfect time to visit a local market or roadside stand. This week’s column brings two recipes that are fresh, hearty and full of flavor. … Continue reading Sweet Corn Shines in Fresh Salad and Savory Bake

When summer heats up bold red wines and boozy bottles can feel a little too heavy. For cookouts, picnics, and easy dinners outside, lighter and crisp wines with bright acidity, softer tannins, and lower alcohol are the way to go. Think refreshing, vibrant sips that keep things light and easygoing, making grilled favorites and seasonal dishes feel a little more relaxed. Continue reading Beat the Heat: How to Pair Wine with Your Summer Menu

By Jennifer Alexander Ruple Strawberry season is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to plan a trip to your favorite roadside farm stand or farmers market, for one of northwest Ohio’s sweetest signs of early summer. Whether you prefer to grab a basket of freshly picked berries or spend a morning filling containers from the field, there are plenty of ways to … Continue reading Sweet Meets Savory this Strawberry Season